Trending In the Aisles: Vintage Edison Light Bulbs

When Thomas Edison invented the light bulb at the turn of
the 20th century they looked a bit different than they do today. The tungsten
filament, the wire inside the bulb in which the electric current is passed, was
wider and more apparent than the ones you typically see today. Fast forward to
the 21st century, Vintage Edison Bulbs have made a big comeback
as a trendy and stylish way to add a rustic or vintage look to a room.

Style

The soft glowing filaments of Edison Bulbs emit a warm glow
rather than a bright light, therefore these antique-looking bulbs are often displayed
bare or used in a lamp or fixture that leaves them mostly exposed.

Vintage bulbs became popular years ago in theme restaurants
where a darker, more intimate atmosphere was desired. The filament glow also
complemented the color of food served, in stark contrast to the harsher colors
of CFL bulbs. In time, interior designers started to use these vintage style
bulbs in homes.

At my store in Chicago, we have customers come in with the
intention of installing Edison Bulbsin
their lofts to achieve an industrial vibe. The look is also quite popular
with folks who are restoring older homes.

There are also many industrial style lighting fixtures available online and in
Home Depot stores. The style of your fixture can help you achieve
the look you’re going for - whether it's steampunk, vintage, or an industrial design.

In Chicago, we also have DIY customers using Edison Bulbs for craft lamp projects. Edison bulbs are popularly used to highlight
Steampunk themed décor - a style that uses a subtle color palate, metals, and
darker finishes. The DIY Robot Lamp below (left) was built by a follow associate and a
great example of the steampunk style. He used a mosaic bulb, but an Edison
style bulb can be used to complete an antique look. Incorporating Edison Blubs into shadeless lamps instantly adds
an interesting focal point to a room.

Practicality

Much newer on the scene are the vintage style light bulbs that use LED technology instead of tungsten incandescent. These bulbs mimic the same shapes, style and color temperature as the original vintage bulbs, but add one huge advantage. In addition to being dimmable, they use typically 93% less energy to create the same light output as their predecessors.

Shop Vintage Edison Light Bulbs

There are many options for Vintage Edison Bulbs, as
they vary in shape and are available as LED as well as traditional incandescent. Below you'll find a few commonly sold in
your local store and online.